Russia-India Friendship Cycle Rally organized to commemorate 77 years of bilateral diplomatic relations

New Delhi: To mark the 77th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations and the 40th anniversary of the space flight of the first Indian astronaut Rakesh Sharma, the Russia-India Friendship Cycling Rally was organized in New Delhi on Sunday. Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov was also among those who participated in the Friendship Cycling Rally.

Alipov said that many people had gathered to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Russia. He told ANI that there was no better way to celebrate the occasion than taking a morning walk with his Indian friends.

“Many people have gathered to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations. What better way to celebrate the occasion than taking a morning walk with Indian friends,” he said.

“We traveled the entire journey from Peace Park to India Gate; it was a wonderful journey. India-Russia relations have a solid historical foundation of friendship, trust and respect. We will go from strength to strength in the years to come,” Alipov said. We see a very bright future for our relationship.”

On April 3, on the 40th anniversary of the first Indian space flight on a Soviet Soyuz T-11 spacecraft, the Russian Ambassador to India extended greetings to all Indians. “Hearty congratulations to Hero Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma and all Indians on the 40th anniversary of the first Indian space flight on the Soviet Soyuz T-11 spacecraft!” he said in a post on X on April 3.

Additionally, the Russian Embassy in India also recalled the space mission that carried Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma and two Russian astronauts.

Exactly 40 years ago, on April 3, 1984, Sharma had created history by becoming the first Indian to reach outer space aboard the Soviet rocket Soyuz T-11, launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the then Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic.

He spent 7 days, 21 hours and 40 minutes in space and with his flight, India became the 14th country to send an astronaut to outer space.

The Soyuz T-11 spacecraft carrying the astronauts, including Sharma, docked and transferred the three-member Soviet-Indian international crew, including the ship’s commander, Yuri Malyshev, and flight engineer, Gennady Strekalov, to the Salyut 7 orbital station. .

Sharma conducted many scientific studies and experiments including remote sensing and biomedicine. The crew also held a conference with space officials.

Upon returning from space, Sharma was honored with the title Hero of the Soviet Union. He is the only Indian till date to have been given this honour. India also honored Rakesh Sharma with its highest peacetime gallantry award, the Ashoka Chakra. (ANI)